The Ubiquitous Triclosan

There is a disinfectant showing up in hundreds of common consumer products that is raising serious cause for concern. The chemical, triclosan, is a synthetic, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that in recent years has exploded onto the consumer market in a wide variety of antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics, plastics, and other products. Studies have increasingly linked triclosan to a range of health and environmental effects, from skin irritation, allergy susceptibility, bacterial and compounded antibiotic resistant, and dioxin contamination to destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems. Concerns about triclosan have even led some manufacturers, such as Tom’s of Maine, to specifi cally state that their toothpaste products do not contain triclosan. According to the American Medical Association, “Despite their recent proliferation in consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their effi cacy when used in such products or any need for them...it may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products...”2 Triclosan possesses mostly antibacterial properties, but also some antifungal and antiviral properties. It is marketed under the trade name Microban® when used in plastics and clothing, and Biofresh® when used in acrylic fi bers. Triclosan is most o� en used to kill bacteria on the skin and other surfaces, although it sometimes is used to preserve the product against deterioration due to microbes.3 Antibacterials are similar to antibiotics in that they both inhibit bacterial growth. But while the purpose of antibiotics is to cure disease, the purpose of antibacterials are to prevent transmission of disease-causing micro-organisms.4 Triclosan has been used for over 30 years. Its uses were originally confi ned mostly to health care se� ings, fi rst introduced in the health care industry in a surgical scrub in 1972. Over the last decade, there has been a rapid increase in the use of triclosan-containing products.5 A marketplace study in 2000 by Eli Perencevich, M.D. and colleagues found that over 75% of liquid soaps and nearly 30% of bar soaps (45% of all the soaps on the market) contained some type of antibacterial agent. Triclosan was the most common agent found – nearly half of all commercial soaps contained triclosan.6 While EPA does not publish total sales volume numbers, it is clear that the prevalence of triclosan in multitudes of personal care products amounts to massive quantities of active What is an Antimicrobial?